Amblyseius Cucumeris

Amblyseius Swirskii and Cucumeris is the preferred predator for thrips control. They are tan colored mites found on the underside of leaves along the viens or inside mature flowers.These mites are most effective at preventing thrips build-up when applied early in the growing season at the first sign of thrips.

NATURAL CONTROL OF THRIPS

The life cycle begins with small white eggs that can be seen attached to leaf hairs along veins on the lower leaf surface. At 68 degrees F eggs hatch in about 3 days into nonfeeding larvae that molt to nymphs after about 2 days. The 2 nymphal stages which last 7 days, as well as the adult stage which lasts up to 30 days feed on immature stages of thrips. The adult female can lay up to 35 eggs in her lifetime. Adults can eat an average of 1 thrips per day and also feed on two-spotted mites and their eggs.

Establishment of Cucumeris and Swirskii requires 3-4 weeks, so they should be applied before thrip problems develop. Because cucumeris feed on immature thrip stages a decrease in adult thrip populations will not occur for about 3 weeks.

Amblyseius (Neoseiulus) cucumeris, the thrips predatory mite, are useful for the prevention, control, and management of various thrips species. A. cucumeris are tough, flexible predators that happen to prefer thrips, mostly the immature thrips stages. It moves quickly to attack eggs, larvae and small adult thrips. These predators are supplied two different ways: a bulk product in vermiculite for fast distribution and consumption; and a sachet product for slow preventive releases over an 3-4-week period.

Amblyseius cucumeris is a species of predatory mite that feeds on immature stages of thrips. It also feeds on pollen, two-spotted mites and other species of mites
Target Pests: Broad mites, Hemp Russet mites, Cyclamen mites, Western flower thrips, Onion thrips, and Bamboo mites. Slow release bags act as miniature breeding units and are hung on plants throughout the greenhouse. Over 3 weeks, each sachets can produce over 1,000 predators under good conditions.

Target Pests:

Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). Onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) also Cyclamen, Broad and Rust mites. Product information: About 60% are female. Well-fed females will lay up to 3 eggs per day for 35 days. Their eggs are round, transparent and 0.14mm (0.01 inch) in diameter and usually deposited on hairs on the underside of leaves. Cucumeris adults and immatures are shipped with a bran carrier.

They are available in two types of packaging: Release Rates: Relatively high introduction rates are required because thrips can reproduce nearly twice as fast as Cucumeris and Cucumeris only feed on immature thrips, not adults. Rates will vary depending on crop and level of pest infestation. Typical rate is 5 predators per square foot. Using bulk container 10-100 Cucumeris per plant weekly as needed. As a starter culture for young plants, place 25 Cucumeris per plant at the base of the stem Lifespan of Cucumeris: A complete life cycle takes 10-12 days at 68° F. Newly hatched larvae do not feed until they molt at 2 days old. They feed for another 7 days before becoming adults. Adults live for up to 30 days. Description Like most of the Neoseiulus spp., N. cucumeris are tough, flexible predators. These happen to prefer thrips, mostly the immature stages. N. cucumeris are shipped as adults, immatures and eggs (the latter are not part of the guaranteed count) in a loose bran-flake carrier. With this medium, these predators are supplied three different ways: a bulk product for fast distribution and consumption; a pre-punched packet product for slow preventive releases over an 8 week period; and a packet which is not pre-punched that must be torn open and immediately distributed. The latter is designed for extremely small scale use. N. cucumeris, in either form, can prevent thrips from becoming intolerable. The bulk unit and small quick release packet can provide control. Some of the species they can devour include: the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis); the flower thrips or eastern flower thrips (F. tritici); the onion thrips (Thrips tabaci); the greenhouse thrips (Heliothrips haemorrhoidalis); and possibly the melon thrips (Thrips palmi), too. Other pests which can be impacted by these predators include cyclamen mites (Phtyodromus =Steneotarsonemus pallidus), broad mites (Polyphagotarsenomus =Hemitarsonemus latus) and, to a slight degree, tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici). And, as Neoseiulus spp., these predators may eat other pests as well.

Cucumeris is a species of predatory mite that feeds on immature stages of thrips. It also feeds on pollen, two spotted mites and other species of mites. Cucumeris adults are pear-shaped, tan colored mites, less than 0.5mm (1/50 inch) long.